Litter Box Training

Before Bringing Your Cat Home

• Its best to have your cat's litter box ready to go before you bring him home. There are many choices, but your cat has just a few simple preferences. First, pick a box that is easily accessible to her. It should be simple for her to climb in and out of, with low sides. Plastic boxes are recommended because they are easier to clean. Also, cats prefer privacy. Choose an area of your home that is relatively quiet and away from kitty's eating and sleeping quarters. Once you've chosen the right spot, avoid moving the litter box. Otherwise you may confuse your cat.

  Next, fill your cat's box with litter. According to the Doctors Fosters and Smith veterinary service department, most cats don't like a heavily scented litter. Take this into consideration when choosing your filler. Its best to use an unscented clumping litter. This still controls odors without overwhelming your cat. Now that your cat's litter box is ready to go, you are ready to teach her how to use it.

Basic Instincts

• While your cat may not yet understand what the litter box is for, he does have a natural instinct to eliminate in sand or soil. This is because cats prefer to bury their waste. This works in your favor when attempting to get kitty accustomed to the litter box. According to the ASPCA, the key is to make sure he doesn't have any other similar options around the house, such as a potted plant. It is recommended that you remove these before introducing your cat to his new home to minimize confusion about where his bathroom is. In other words, make sure that your cat only has access to one place where he is able to bury his waste--the litter box. Following this simple step will make your training task much easier.

Cat Psychology

• You'll find it helpful to know a little about how a cat learns before you try to teach her. Training a cat to use a litter box is much different than housebreaking a dog. While dogs might respond to being reprimanded and scolded, cats do not. This is important to remember, even if kitty has an accident. If you yell at your cat or spank her, she will only be more sneaky with her bad behaviors. Also, a cat who feels bored or neglected will misbehave just to get attention. According to Tidy Cats, the key is to shower your cat with affection by rewarding her when she does the right thing. She will soon learn what she must do to get the attention she loves, as long as you are consistent.

Teaching Your Cat

• According to Perfect Paws, simply sitting your cat in the litter box when you bring him home is the first step in teaching him how to use it. This will show him where it is, as well as show him that it's the place where he can satisfy his need to dig and bury. Since cats respond to praise, the key is to give your cat plenty of positive attention whenever he uses his litter box. Try calling your cat to his litter box, and petting him when he gets there. Even if he doesn't use it when you call him over, he will learn to associate the litter box with receiving praise. Its also important to catch your cat right after he uses his litter box and recognize his good behavior. Pet him, shower him with love and attention, even give him a treat of some sort. Rewarding the good behavior is the key to success.

A Few Things to Remember

• Now that you know how to teach your cat, there are just a few extra tips to keep in mind. Most importantly, keep your cat's litter box clean at all times. According to Tidy Cats, cats are particular animals by nature, and will not use a litter box if it's dirty. It is recommended that you clean out her litter box daily to prevent unwanted odor and accidents. If you have multiple cats, the general rule is to have one litter box for each cat. Also, be sure to have kitty on a regular feeding schedule. This will help you predict when your cat needs to use her litter box and give you a better opportunity to reward her when she does. According to Purina, cats tend to eliminate soon after waking, after exercise and shortly after eating. While every cat is different, if you are consistent with your training she will pick up on the function of the litter box within a week. A kitten may learn even faster, especially if she has seen her mother use the litter box. Follow these simple tips, be prepared to give your cat plenty of positive reinforcement, and your new pet will be successfully using the litter box in no time!